Facilitating the Administration of Justice in the 
                Federal Courts

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, and in order to promote the prompt appointment 
                of judges to the Federal courts, it is hereby ordered 
                as follows:

                Section 1. Policy. The Federal courts play a central 
                role in the American justice system. For the Federal 
                courts to function effectively, judicial vacancies in 
                those courts must be filled in a timely manner with 
                well-qualified candidates.

                Sec. 2. Plan. The presidential plan announced on 
                October 30, 2002, calls for timely consideration of 
                judicial nominees, with the President submitting a 
                nomination to fill a vacancy in United States courts of 
                appeals and district courts within 180 days after the 
                President receives notice of a vacancy or intended 
                retirement, absent extraordinary circumstances.

                Sec. 3. Responsibilities. The Counsel to the President 
                shall take all appropriate steps to ensure that the 
                President is in a position to make timely nominations 
                for judicial vacancies consistent with this plan. All 
                Federal departments and agencies shall assist, as 
                requested and permitted by law, in the implementation 
                of this order.

                Sec. 4. Reservation of Authority. Nothing in this order 
                shall be construed to affect the authority of the 
                President to fill vacancies under clause 3 of section 2 
                of article II of the Constitution.

                Sec. 5. Judicial Review. This order is intended only to 
                improve the internal management of the Federal 
                Government and is not intended to, and does not, create 
                any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the 
                United States, its departments, agencies, 
                instrumentalities or entities, its officers or 
                employees, or any other person.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

                THE WHITE HOUSE,